By Danny Teigman
Older than the city itself, the People's Church began operating out of congregants' growing desire to have a church within walking distance of their community. After two meetings in area homes in 1920, what was then known as the Religious Society of Long Beach, was granted permission by the owner of the Hotel Nassau to hold Sunday services in a room in the building. Their official name was also changed to its present title, the church's Web site said. Although organized as a nominally Protestant church, members maintain that all are welcome. "It's a unique church because we're interdenominational. It's nice. We have members from every religion," said church secretary Jeannie McCarthy.
"It's quite a loving and eclectic group of people. There are people who come from different traditions," Minister Larry Swensen added.
In September 1921 the organization was officially recognized as a religious society by New York state, and it began receiving donations for the purchase of land and a building of its own. By August 1922 spades were in the ground, and on January 14, 1923, services were held in the Delaware Avenue building for the first time.
One of the more noteworthy attributes to the building, is the large stained glass window called "The Good Shepherd." The window was donated in 1923 by the city's founder and first mayor, William Reynolds, said City Historian Roberta Fiore. The window is often mistakenly attributed to the artist Louis Comfort Tiffany, but recent research has discredited those claims.
Nevertheless, the building is still a candidate for National Register of Historic Landmarks, and Alexandra Karafinas, president of the Long Beach Island Landmarks Association, said her organization is going through the process of winning the church that recognition.
But a church is about its members more than its building, and this September those members will celebrate the 85-year history of their fellowship with a party at the Lido Golf Club.
"It has been the most blessed church for my children, who later contributed their music talents and also served as Sunday school teachers," Jeannie Alvarez, a former church trustee and deacon said. "I've been enriched by the spirit and the love that is shared by our church family and friends."
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